STING Expression in Peripheral Sensory Neurons Underlies Virus Recognition and Pain

Pain is an early and common symptom of viral infections, and yet we have a limited understanding about the mechanisms through which viruses induce pain. Peripheral sensory neurons are well-studied for their role in pain, and are emerging as new actors in pathogen recognition and defense. It has been reported that peripheral sensory neurons express several proteins associated with virus recognition, including the stimulator of interferon genes (STING). Although STING and interferon signaling has been recently proposed as a critical regulator of physiological pain and a promising new target for treating chronic pain, whether and how STING in peripheral sensory neurons participate in virus recognition, defense and pain is still completely unknown.
Source: The Journal of Pain - Category: Materials Science Authors: Tags: 12 Source Type: research